C/ABC Wednesday

Silay City Cathedral, Negros Occidental

C is for Cupola


In architecture, a cupola is a small, most often dome-like structure on top of a building.  Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.  Cupolas often appear as small buildings in their own right. They often serve as lantern, belfry or belvedere above a main roof.  In other cases, they may crown a tower, spire or turret.  C is also for church and cathedral.

a belfry of  the 16th century Santa Maria Church
Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Mellow Yellow Monday: Appetizer

A popular Filipino appetizer and side dish for grilled fish or grilled pork---diced tomatoes, green mango and white onion relish topped with sweet & spicy shrimp paste.  Forget about spoon and fork...with this, eating with your bare hands is more exciting.:p

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Sign language

@ Fort Santiago
Intramuros, Manila

Linking to Signs, Signs

B/ABC Wednesday

B is for Balatron (a joker, clown, babbler)

I put myself up for a challenge of posting an unusual word for my ABC Wednesday photo. Wish me luck!

A clown who entertained the kids at my nephew's 4th birthday.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Mellow Yellow Monday: Alarm Clock

A rooster strutting with confidence at my aunt's backyard.  It was his duty to wake me up every morning while I stayed in the farm, and he was a reliable alarm clock.

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

White Alder

Cuban Buttercup, White Alder, Turnera Subulata

White Alder is a perennial herb, native to West Indies, Brazil and Central America.  It has also totally invaded my aunt's perimeter fence.

The secret to living contently and sanely in this modern world is to find the beautiful in the ugly-but don't get confused which is which.  ~ Terri Guillemets

Linking to Macro Flower Saturday and Today's Flowers

Tinomok

This dish was a hit to my siblings.  It's probably the hunger generating spicyness and nostalgia-inducing coconut milk.  It's called Tinomok, a bit like laing, only better, according to Gerry's Grill's website.  I know laing but it was the first time I heard of Tinomok.  It's a Bicol delicacy, and according to my brother, it's chicken wrapped in gabi leaves and cooked in coconut milk.  I believe it's basically the same as the Ilonggo's Pangat, but instead of chicken, pork or dried fish (usually labahita) is used.

Linking to Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Signs: Jeepney

The iconic Philippine jeepney as a decorative fixture at KKK Pinoy Food Revolution, a local restaurant.  The sign at the side is one of  the routes public utility jeepneys ply everyday.  And do check out the menu.:p

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

A/ABC Wednesday

@ mirandablue

A is for Antique

 A pair of antique glass wick lamp using kerosene at Grandpa's Inn in Vigan.  We used this kind of lamp at my grandmother's house when I was a kid---there was no electricity then.

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Mellow Yellow Monday: Snack attack

A late night attack of the munchies got me corn chips and creamy spinach dip. Munch, munch, munch!:p

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Dwarf Oleander

Pale pink flower with crinkled petals.  I hope somebody would identify this beauty.

Dwarf Pink Oleander  [Nerium Oleander]
or
Pink Mexican Petunia "Chi-Chi" [Ruellia brittoniana]
Thanks to Jama and Squirrel Queen

Perfect is boring, your imperfections are what make you truly beautiful.

Linking to Macro Flower Saturday and Today's Flowers

Signs: Unlimited Rice!

Not your kind of place if you're cutting down on carbs.
For rice-eating Filipinos, fast-food chains and food stalls offering unlimited rice attract more customers.  I wonder why nobody's offering bottomless coffee.

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Mellow Yellow Monday: Heliconia

 Heliconia psittacorum, Parrot's Beak, Parakeet Flower,  False Bird-of-Paradise

That which is striking and beautiful is not always good, but that which is good is always beautiful.

~ Ninon de L'Enclos

Linking to Mellow Yellow Monday

Pink Zinnia

Zinnia, Youth-and-Old-Age, Zinnia violacea, Crassina elegans

Zinnia is a Mexican wildflower and widely distributed in the Philippines. It belongs to the Daisy family and  there are more than 200 species---Zinnia elegans is the most well-known.  The early Spanish colonists in Mexico found the flowers ugly and called them "mal de ojos" (evil eyes).  

Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

~ Veronica Shoffstall

More flowers from around the world @ Floral Friday Fotos, Macro Flower Saturday and Today's Flower

Twisted buttered bread

I wish I could tell you that I baked the bread.

Got them from The French Baker---all I did was reheat them before serving.:p

They're great with coffee, hot choco and pasta.

Linking with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday

Sign @ Busuanga airport

Sign at the departure area of Busuanga Airport. 

Translation:  Notice:  To stop the spread of a pest Mango Pulp Weevil, bringing out of mangoes and other plants is strictly prohibited.

Mangoes will be confiscated and violators will be fined.

Linking to Lesley's Signs, Signs

Mellow Yellow Monday: Tricycle

A tricycle on the street of Culion Island, the usual means of transportation in the island.  It can load up to 6 passengers, sometimes, even more.

Wishing you a great 2012!  Happy New Year!

More splashes of yellow at Mellow Yellow Monday